Relations between France and Mali have worsened, after France suspended counter-terrorism cooperation and ordered two Malian diplomats to leave Paris. The move came in response to the arrest of a French embassy staff member in Bamako last month.
French diplomatic sources said the two Malian officials – attached to the embassy and consulate in Paris – were declared persona non grata and told to leave by Saturday.
The decision deepens a long-running row between Paris and Bamako, which has been under military rule since successive coups in 2020 and 2021.
On 15 August, Mali’s junta announced it had detained a French national accused of spying for the French intelligence services.
Colonel Assimi Goïta's government claimed “foreign states” were supporting a plot to destabilise Mali’s institutions, allegedly involving a small group within the Malian armed forces.
France rejected the charges as “baseless” and demanded the “immediate release” of its staff member, stressing he was a duly accredited diplomat.
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'Violation of international law'
A French diplomatic source told AFP that Mali’s decision was “a deliberate violation of one of the most fundamental rules of international law.”
Paris said the diplomat had been working on joint counter-terrorism efforts when he was “arbitrarily arrested.” Officials warned that “further measures” could follow if he is not released quickly.
Bamako responded by declaring five French diplomats unwelcome. French officials said the group had already left Mali on Sunday.
This week, Paris struck back by ordering out Malian envoys and suspending counter-terrorism cooperation – one of the last areas of collaboration between the two sides.
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Ties collapsed
Mali’s relations with France, its former colonial power, have deteriorated sharply since the military took power.
Bamako has faced a jihadist insurgency for more than a decade, but instead of relying on Western support it has turned increasingly towards Russia.
The Malian army has partnered with Russian mercenaries from the so-called Africa Corps. They are tasked with fighting Al-Qaeda and Islamic State groups but stand accused of serious abuses against civilians.
Despite growing mistrust, intelligence-sharing between France and Mali had until now continued. That fragile line of cooperation has now been severed.
(with newswires)
